The
offensive backfield
of Kirk Cousins
and 1,000 yard rusher
Edwin Baker doesn't
take a back seat
to anyone in the
Big Ten. The defensive
line is deep and
stingy. Tackle Jerel
Worthy is "worthy"
as an NFL prospect.

Linebacker

Losing
team leading tackler
and All-American
Greg Jones in the
middle would be
a devastating loss
for anyone. His
linebacker partner
Eric Gordon was
the team's second
leading tackler.
Both will be surely
missed.

RB
Edwin Baker

FS
Trenton Robinson

*
DEPTH CHARTS were only designed
as a simplistic gauge for listing
players that departed and players
that received the most playing
experience (consistent starters).
NationalChamps.net recognizes
the importance of missing personnel
data not listed such as redshirts,
transfers, injuries, incoming
recruits, back ups and alternates.
Their coverage will begin with
our full 2011 Preseason Preview
due out this coming spring.

MICHIGAN
STATE 2011 DEPTH CHARTReturning
Starters/Key
Players

OFFENSE

QB

Kirk
Cousins-Sr (6-3, 202)

Andrew
Maxwell-So (6-3, 208)

FB

Todd
Anderson-Sr (6-2, 253)

Niko
Palazeti-RFr (6-1, 250)

TB

Edwin
Baker-Jr (5-9, 208)

Le'Veon
Bell-So (6-2, 237)
Larry Caper-Jr (5-11,
220)

WR

Keshawn
Martin-Sr (5-11, 185)

Bennie
Fowler-So (6-1, 212)

WR

B.J.
Cunningham-Sr (6-2, 223)

Keith
Nichol-Sr (6-2, 222)

TE

Brian
Linthicum-Sr (6-5, 243)

Dion
Sims-So (6-5, 277)
Garrett Celek-Sr (6-5,
247)

OT

Dan
France-So (6-6, 304)

Jared
McGaha-Sr (6-6, 292)

OG

Joel
Foreman-Sr (6-4, 310)

John
Deyo-Jr (6-6, 295)

C

Travis
Jackson-RFr (6-3, 265)

Ethan
Ruhland-Jr (6-5, 288)

OG

Chris
McDonald-Jr (6-5, 290)

Blake
Treadwell-Jr (6-3, 292)

OT

Zach
Hueter-Jr (6-6, 324)

Skyler
Schofner-RFr (6-7, 305)

K

Dan
Conroy-Jr (5-10, 190)

Kevin
Muma-So (6-0, 189)

MICHIGAN
STATE 2011 DEPTH CHARTReturning
Starters/Key
Players

DEFENSE

DE

Tyler
Hoover-Jr (6-7, 274)

Denzel
Drone-So (6-2, 260)

DT

Jerel
Worthy-Jr (6-3, 305)

Anthony
Rashad White-Jr (6-2,
320)

NT

Kevin
Pickelman-Sr (6-4, 278)

Johnathan
Strayhorn-Sr (6-0, 278)

DE

William
Gholston-So (6-7, 265)

Corey
Freeman-Jr (6-2, 236)

LB

Chris
Norman-Jr (6-1, 225)

Steve
Gardiner-Jr (6-1, 215)

LB

Max
Bullough-So (6-3, 240)

TyQuan
Hammock-So (6-0, 227)

LB

Denicos
Allen-So (5-10, 218)

Kyler
Elsworth-So (6-1, 209)

CB

Johnny
Adams-Jr (5-11, 170)

Mitchell
White-Jr (5-11, 174)

CB

Darqueze
Dennard-So (5-11, 185)

Tony
Lippett-RFr (6-2, 185)

SS

Isaiah
Lewis-So (5-10, 199)

Jairus
Jones-So (6-1, 205)

FS

Trenton
Robinson-Sr (5-10, 195)

Mylan
Hicks-RFr (5-11, 187)

P

Mike
Sadler-RFr (6-0, 177)

Kyle
Selden-Sr (6-5, 299)

QUICK
ANALYSIS

12/18/10
The Spartans have a handful
of positive aspects returning
from an 11-1 season. While there
are several holes at most every
unit that will need filled due
to graduation, running back
Edwin Baker, quarterback Kirk
Cousins and a defensive line
full of a proven depth makes
the 2011 Michigan State squad
another team to reckon with
once again. Dating back to last
preseason, no one could have
foreseen this type of finish
for Big Ten Coach of The Year
Mark Dantonio. When an apparent
mild heart attack hospitalized
the head coach after a huge
overtime win over Notre Dame,
this team seemed to unite and
grow even stronger. The running
game diminished but State kept
on plugging away in the win
column. Edwin Baker did find
his way as a star out of the
backfield this year and earned
All-Big Ten honors. He will
have two of the better offensive
guards in the league blocking
for him with Joel Foreman and
Chris McDonald returning. The
Spartans will continue to be
awful stingy up front on the
defensive line where several
players have rotated in and
out of the lineup while providing
plenty of depth. Losing All-American
linebacker Greg Jones is another
story. The Spartans most drastic
improvement comes from a secondary
that was absolutely dreadful
in 2009 when they permitted
32 touchdown passes while only
snagging six interceptions.
This year they managed to only
give up only 18 touchdowns to
17 passes intercepted. They
will also return two All-Conference
performers back here in veterans
Johnny Adams and Trenton Robinson.
East Lancing has much to be
excited about. This team is
surely capable of wrestling
away a solo Big Ten title with
a few more breaks and a healthy
cast. The target on the chest
will be much bigger the next
time around. Anything resembling
a duplicate Top 10 finish won't
be easy. But that's no different
that what just transpired.